You can see an article Kelley wrote for The Spectator here.

You can see what shows Kelley produces at TV10 here.

UWEC's Kelley gains experience for life after college

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Stephen Kelley is not your typical student at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. While most high school graduation banners read, “Congrats Grad!” or “Way to go!” senior Broadcasting major Stephen Kelley had a slightly different kind of banner. The Platteville native, who is minoring in Political Science, had a banner proclaiming his presidential nomination, “Kelley 2036.”

While most students spent their summer at the beach soaking up rays, Kelley was soaking up the knowledge of professional journalists like Woody Paige, who regularly appears on ESPN.

Kelley, who plans to graduate this May, will be prepared to go out into the real world. He models the way a student from UW-Eau Claire should look like. He is an experienced writer, as he had eight articles published in The Spectator. He also has experience with working with WQOW 18, TV10, and ESPN radio.

But according to Stephen Kelley’s dad, Mark Kelley, the real interest in broadcasting didn’t start at UWEC.  Stephen was involved in his high school’s television station and had his own show, “Hillmen Heated Debate.”

 “He [Stephen Kelley] really got into that,” said Mark Kelley. “Being around the media was always a strong draw.”

Though journalism is a major interest to Kelley, so is politics.

“He’s always been interested in that sort of stuff,” said Stephen Kelley’s mom, Sheila Kelley.

“Even in grade school or junior high they had current affairs classes and he was always involved and up-to-date,” Mark Kelley said.

The political bug stayed with Kelley when he came to UWEC as he became a candidate for a mock election in a political science class. In the project that included debates, speeches, commercials and strategy sessions, Kelley’s nose for politics paid off. In the final election, which was voted on by another political science class, Kelley won in a landslide, tallying nearly 70% of the vote.

“Debates were the most fun, you could try to plan but you didn’t know what the questions would be so you had to rely your own beliefs and what you choose to stand for in your campaign,” said Kelley.

 “I’m not surprised he won. He’s always been outgoing,” said Sheila Kelley.

 Kelley’s involvement in the campaign did have an affect on the other candidates as he often set the issues that would be debated.

  “I researched the ideas he brought up for improving campus,” said senior Cole Johnson, who ran against Kelley in the mock election. “He just made it more fun.”

 While the project did not take on actual political parties but instead were defined by a color, Kelley’s views might have been slightly to the left.

 “Growing up it was pretty evident he was in the Democratic camp,” said Sheila Kelley. “While I have been more personal in my politics he has always been more party-based.”

 After Kelley graduates, he plans on a broadcasting career, but politics will still play a role in his life. 

“I see him being involved in the community with local politics; getting his views out there,” said Mark Kelley.

Kelley agrees with his father’s prediction as he sees himself running for office, whether it be for the school board or for senate.  But right now, broadcasting is how he plans on getting his views out there.

“It’s helping people through a different medium,” Kelley said.